Ruby Kitchen

Heavy snow has brought commuter chaos to Harrogate this morning (Wednesday) as motorists struggle to cope with the wintry conditions.

Commuters reported long delays on several of the main routes through the town, including Skipton Road, Otley Road, and Leeds and the A658 Ring Road.

Roundabouts including the Little Wonder, the Prince of Wales and the Empress were described as a “living nightmare” as cars battled for priority.

Buses have been delayed, with some services halted altogether. And with further heavy snow forecast, the Met Office is urging drivers to take extra care.

“The public should be aware of the risk of disruption, particularly to transport,” the Met Office said as warnings for heavy snow remain in place until midday today.

One Harrogate commuter said on Twitter this morning it took 45 minutes to get out onto Skipton Road from Bilton shortly after 7am, while another said the road from Killinghall was at an absolute standstill.

Connexions buses warned its services were facing long delays, adding that it was not able to serve Bilton after a bus became stuck.

“Harrogate gridlocked now - all services delayed,” it said online. “Knaresborough Bond End is chaos.”

It took one driver 70 minutes to get from Harrogate to Ripon, while Graham Chalmers, commuting from Starbeck, said it took an hour and a half to get to Cardale Park.

Transdev has warned passengers to expect long delays, also warning 770 passengers that services were not serving Thorner.

“Services are currently running up to an hour late,” it said. “A61 Harewood to Harrogate very busy. Expecting long delays on 36 services heading into the bus station then on to Ripon.”

On Twitter, A59 travel updater @A59Snowman said that while he had made it into Harrogate from Nidderdale, it was slow all the way.

“Bends at Blubberhouses were bad earlier,” he said. “The back roads all very slippy.”